Essendon has registered its first VFL win of the season with a 14 point victory over North Ballarat at Windy Hill.

A topsy-turvy game saw the Bombers challenged time and time again, yet led the entire game and eventually held on for the win.

Both teams’ looked in total control for patches in the game but were unable to put on scoreboard pressure.

Orazio Fantasia was best on ground kicking four goals and gathering plenty of possessions, both down forward and through the midfield.

“Orazio was fantastic today and kicked a clutch goal at the end to seal the game for us. He provided plenty of run and created plenty of space” said team-mate Jacob Thompson.

Thompson made his long awaited return to the side today after requiring a knee reconstruction at the beginning of last season and he was pleased with the team’s effort after last week’s loss.

“We had to show a bit after last week’s debacle so it was good to hold them off at the end and get the four points” Thompson said.

VFL listed players Alex McLeod and Daniel Coghlan were also standouts today and stood up after half time when the Roosters came out strong.

“I played with “Al-Mac” (McLeod) a few years ago at the Cannons (Calder Cannons, TAC Cup) and he went missing from the footy scene and his come back and played some great footy," Thompson said.

“Cogs (Coghlan) is first class. His the first one to training and the last to leave and lives pretty far away so the commitment level from him is fantastic and it’s good to see him play some great football.”

Thompson laughed off the suggestion that there were nerves before the game and it was good to be just back playing football.

“Everyone keeps asking “how’s your knee going?” and all that, to me it’s fine, I’ve done the work that needs to be done, it’s not affecting me in terms of worrying about my knee, it’s just good to be back playing football”

Essendon will travel up to Bendigo next Friday night to take on the former affiliate with the game beginning at 6:30pm

Final Score:

Essendon: 11.12.(78)

North Ballarat: 9.10.(64)

Goals: Fantasia 4, Kefford 2, Mellington, Merrett, Tipungwuti, Heppell, M.Ambrose

Best: Fantasia, O’Brien, Thurlow, Duscher, Edwards, Z.Merrett, Coghlan, McLeod